JENNIFER LAWRENCE PAVES THE PATH FOR GENDER EQUALITY

If ‘life imitates art’ and vice versa, it’s no wonder that Hollywood is proving to be such an accurate mirror of society. We’re still in the throes of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, that is drawing attention to the side-lining of minorities, even in an age when The White House itself is presided upon by a man of colour! Yet, the skin we’re in doesn’t appear to be our only point of attack against minorities.

Paving the path, Jennifer Lawrence has taken a bold step towards gender equality by articulating her views in an essay on the subject. And offering kudos to Lawrence on taking up this royal challenge is two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett.

The ‘Elizabeth’ star believes Jennifer’s essay was “necessary” because it also “encourages women in other industries to say: You know what, I’m not receiving equal pay for equal work here.” Adding that it isn’t about being “paid squillions of dollars,” but about being rewarded fairly for “doing equal work,” Blanchett says: “It’s a basic, basic thing.”

Change always begins with a bold move. Jennifer Lawrence isn’t the first actress to have spoken up against unequal pay in Hollywood and she won’t be the last. But her words will spark debate and debate will, no doubt, ignite change. “I hope (it changes) tomorrow,” says Blanchett, “I can (imagine change), I can.”